Posts tagged “Water Fountain”

Dog food has come a long way in the last decade, giving pet parents more healthy, convenient options than ever before. One option gaining popularity? Dehydrated dog food.   Dehydrated dog food is a minimally processed, shelf-stable alternative to kibble that’s packed with nutrition and made with whole ingredients. But is it right for your pup? Here’s what to know. Speak with your veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet. 

Yes, dogs can eat plain, ground cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) in moderation.   There are two popular types of cinnamon: cassia cinnamon and Ceylon cinnamon. Between the two, Ceylon cinnamon contains less coumarin, the natural compound that gives the spice its flavor, and is safer for dogs to consume. ,As you prepare yourself a hot apple cider and cinnamon buns, your sweet pup’s pleading face may make you wonder, “Can dogs have cinnamon too?”   The short answer is yes, dogs can have cinnamon—but only in small amounts. While cinnamon has low levels of coumarin, which can be toxic, it still makes the list of herbs and spices dogs can have—but only in small doses.   We spoke with a veterinary expert on the safety of cinnamon, its benefits and risks, how to safely offer it to your pup, and what to do if your dog eats too much of it.  Before introducing any new food into your dog’s diet, always check with your veterinarian. 

WRITTEN BYJennifer Coates, DVM Veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Coates is an accomplished veterinarian, writer, editor, and consultant with years of experience in the fields of veterinary…,Take a look at your dog’s feet. How many toenails do you see? Most dogs have four nails on each rear foot and five on their front feet. That extra nail on the upper, inner part of a dog’s foot is the dewclaw. Did you come up with a different total? Have no fear, some dogs have dewclaws on their rear feet or even double dewclaws. But what, exactly, is a dewclaw, and is it a problem? What Are Dewclaws? Dewclaws are essentially the thumbs and big toes of the dog world. They are not directly equivalent to the human structures, of course, but they are similar. Looking at a dog’s front foot, the toes that are in contact with the ground while standing correspond to our pinky, ring finger, middle finger, and index finger. The dewclaw is the “thumb.” The same is true for the canine hind foot with the dewclaw, if it’s present, being the “big toe.” An important distinction to make is whether or not the dewclaws are firmly attached to a dog’s foot. In general, if your dog has a single front dewclaw, it will be. You’ll be able to wiggle the dewclaw a little bit (mostly in a forward and backward motion), but you can feel the bones and ligaments that connect it to the leg. Rear and double dewclaws tend to only be attached by skin and are much more mobile.

How to Put on a Dog Harness No matter what type of no-pull harness you select, give your dog the opportunity to acclimate to it. If the harness has several adjustment points that ensure a precise fit, like the PetSafe Easy Walk dog harness, adjust the straps to your dog’s approximate size before you put it on her. Trying to do the initial fitting while your dog is wearing the harness might make her fidgety. Make sure to check for potential tight spots around your dog’s underarms that could lead to chafing.   It also helps to pair the initial introduction to the no-pull harness with dog treats so your dog understands that wearing it is a positive experience. If the harness slides over your dog’s head like the Chai’s Choice 3M reflective dog harness, use a larger, petgd.com treat to encourage your dog to feel comfortable with the process. Hold the treat just inside the neck piece so that your dog willingly puts her head inside to eat it. Remember to give your dog treats as you set off on your first no-pull harness walk so that the experience is pleasurable for you and your dog. Image via iStock.com/KThalhofer,WRITTEN BY Victoria Schade, CPDT-KA Animal Trainer,No-pull dog harnesses offer a gentle way to manage dogs that pull while on a lead. But because there are so many different dog harness options available, trying to select the perfect one for your pulling pooch can be overwhelming. Whether you’re dealing with a dog that’s been pulling for years or you’re leash training a puppy, a no-pull harness can help both you and your dog find a more comfortable way to walk together. Management vs. Leash Training a Dog to Stop Pulling A no-pull dog harness can dramatically lessen the strain of a dog pulling on the leash by managing the behavior, but it won’t train your dog to stop pulling. When you remove the no-pull harness, it’s likely your dog will go back to dragging you down the street. While many pet parents don’t mind relying on a management tool to decrease pulling, if you want to truly get rid of “sled dog” behavior, you’ll have to work on positive reinforcement leash training in conjunction with using a no-pull harness.

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Your senior dog may have a little extra gray hair around the muzzle or stop to smell the flowers more, but one thing remains the same: They still need exercise.    But which exercise routine is right for your senior pup? The short answer is to let your pet’s mobility and personality guide the way.   According to Leslie Sinn, DVM, DACVB, CPDT-KA, a veterinarian and board-certified veterinary behaviorist in Ashburn, Virginia, many dogs enter the senior phases at 7 to 9 years of age, but for small dogs, that number tends to be 10 to 12 years old.   Here’s how much exercise senior dogs need, the best ways to provide it, and what to avoid when exercising your senior dog.